Drevno will leave for USC after a decade with Harbaugh

Niners offensive line coach Tim Drevno during his time with Jim Harbaugh at Stanford. (AP)

(UPDATE: The 49ers released a statement from Jim Harbaugh: “It is with great emotion, pride and excitement that we wish Tim Drevno continued success in his professional journey at The University of Southern California.

Coach Drevno and I have partnered for the last decade at The University of San Diego, Stanford University and the San Francisco 49ers. Tim has been a trusted agent, outstanding football coach and known friend every step of the way.

Sarah and I have shared immense personal joy through our friendship with Tim, Shannon and family. We wish them happiness in their new venture and I am confident the entire Drevno family will attack this endeavor with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.”)

A 10-season partnership that began in Jim Harbaugh’s cramped trailer office at the University of San Diego will end after the 49ers’ season when Tim Drevno becomes the offensive line coach at USC.

Drevno, the 49ers co-offensive line coach with Mike Solari since 2011, is the only assistant who has been with Harbaugh for his entire head-coaching tenure. He will join the staff of newly hired USC coach Steve Sarkisian, the school announced Monday night.

Drevno’s impending exit is notable on a staff that’s had scant turnover since Harbaugh arrived in 2011. The lone departure: After Harbaugh’s first season, offensive quality control coach Bobby Engram left to become the wide receivers coach at the University of Pittsburgh.

Drevno met Harbaugh in 2004 at USD, where he had served as the school’s offensive coordinator the previous season. He was a candidate to become USD’s head coach, but lost out to Harbaugh, who retained him as the non-scholarship program’s offensive coordinator.

“I sat down with him at USD and we had this trailer — it was unbelievable,” Drevno said earlier this season when I sat down with him for this story. “There was a team room and then we had some trailers and they all butted up into the stadium. We sat down in his office in one of those trailers there and we talked and he said he wanted me to be a part of it and he really liked what we did the year before.”

After three seasons together at USD, Drevno followed Harbaugh to Stanford (2007-10) before their time together with the 49ers. Prior to his arrival at USD in 2003, Drevno was an assistant at Idaho, San Jose State, UNLV and Montana State.

“In this profession, you have to be a good coach, and be at the top of your craft, but it does help to know some people,” Drevno said. “I’ve shot up like this so fast because of Jim.”

On the surface, Drevno’s decision to leave the NFL to return to the college ranks is surprising. One possible factor could be a desire to return to his Southern California roots. He went to high school in Torrance and attended Cal State Fullerton. After splitting duties with Solari for three seasons, it’s also possible a chance to have more autonomy was appealing.

Earlier this season, Drevno laughed as he recalled his early days with Harbaugh at USD. Drevno, who worked closely with Harbaugh’s dad, Jack, also loaded equipment and booked much of the team’s travel, among other duties.

“I look back and, man, those are such great years with Jack Harbaugh and Jim,” Drevno said. “It’s just us sitting in the trailer figuring things out: ‘Hey, I’ve got to go do these plane tickets, but I’ll be right back and we can keep talking about the power play.’ It was just great.”